Ulster Rugby vs Edinburgh

European Challenge Cup finalists and 1872 Cup holders Edinburgh Rugby went into the new season looking to build on the good work begun last year, clad in new chain- mail inspired armour for their battles ahead. CAPITAL CLUB BACK ON LEAGUE TRACK

A number of the young players who began 2014/15 on the fringes of the team – such as Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Hamish Watson and Ben Toolis – were given their opportunity to shine early in the season, which led to Scotland caps. A progression very much in line with head coach Alan Solomons’ aim to build the club through its young Scottish talent. This year’s new signings included Scotland age grade stand-off Blair Kinghorn, who impressed at Easter for Scotland U 18 before travelling to the Junior World Championships with Scotland U 20 just a few months later. The 18-year-old made his first team debut, off the bench against Zebre, and has started in subsequent encounters. During the summer, a number of local club players were involved in pre-season training and two of that number, Melrose scrum-half Murdo McAndrew and Biggar prop Craig Bachurzewski, were signed to the capital side on trial. A variety of experience was also added to the ranks with the signings of winger Will Helu from Wasps, back row Nasi Manu fresh from Super Rugby Cup success with the Highlanders, Ulster wing/centre Michael Allen, Tongan winger Otulea Katoa and, more recently, Highlanders flanker John Hardie. The backroom team was also strengthened over the summer with Duncan Hodge freshly arrived as Backs Coach, following Rugby World Cup duties with Scotland, and Peter Wilkins on board as defence coach. A new managing director is also in place, in the shape of former Scotland captain Jonny Petrie. After pre-season friendy wins over Romania and Ulster, a home fixture against Leinster kicked off the Guinness PRO12 on 4 September. Temporarily decamped from BT Murrayfield due to a rescheduled Foo Fighters concert, a vocal crowd

cheered Edinburgh to the win which featured a brace of tries from winger Damien Hoyland and a man-of-the- match performance from Nasi Manu. Away to Treviso the following week, Edinburgh secured the win though lost the services of lock Ben Toolis due to injury. Two more home wins followed, against Ospreys and Ulster, to secure the capital club’s spot at the top of the table. The run then came a halt in northern Italy as Zebre took the win then Connacht saw off Edinburgh in Galway. Back at base, the club were just edged by Munster, 14-16, before European action called. A 28-10 victory over visitors Grenoble, with a two-try man of the match performance by Cornell Du Preez kicked off the Challenge Cup campaign, followed by a 27-6 win over Agen away on an emotional night in southern France, with weather conditions matching the mood. Back in the PRO12 last weekend, the home crowd cheered Edinburgh to a bonus-point victory over Dragons, with prop WP Nel putting in a commanding performance. The club now lie sixth in the league table, one place above tonight’s combatants but equal on points, only five points in total currently separating the sides in third to seventh place.

CLUB STATS //Location Edinburgh, Scotland //Founded 1970 //Ground BT Murrayfield Stadium //Capacity 67,144 //Last Game Newport Gwent Dragons (H) 32 - 13 (W) Friday 26th Sept 2014 at 19:35 //Next Game Glasgow Warriors (H) Friday 27 Nov 2015 at 19:35 //Recent Form W L L L W

STAFF // Coach Alan Solomons // Captain Mike Coman

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